Page 30 of The Spy

“Yes.” Dahlia came to sit beside them and Anna wrapped her in a hug.

“She’s right. You could have just enjoyed yourself.”

“I’m extra keyed up after our telescope scare.”

“Yeah, I heard. Bested by a ten year old kid. That’s a new low for you, Lucan.”

“Oh, please, don’t pester him. He’s had a rough day.” Anna rested her hand at the back of his neck.

He scowled at his sister. “Dahlia knows I can take her.” Lucan looked around. “In fact, where’s that punk I heard you were inviting?”

“He’s not a punk. Just leave him alone, Ok?” Dahlia stood and walked away.

“Oooh. He might be special. Run some background—”

Lucan shook his head. “Already taken care of. You insult me.”

Anna laughed. “Oh Lucan.” The music started. “Let’s dance. Let’s move for hours and never stop.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Feeling energetic?”

“No, more just the need to be held by you, after a long day of worry and stress, I want to have fun and I want you.” She allowed her eyes to show her need and his darkened.

“I would never deny you anything that you desire.” He pulled her into his arms and they moved out onto the floor. No matter what the beat, he held her. For five songs, they laughed and moved and talked and pretended like they were younger and in training together and nothing else mattered.

* * *

Hours later,someone announced toasts and the cutting of the cake. Lucan held on to Anna’s hand and moved to the microphone. “My toast is simple. To love, the one thing that is more powerful than all others. I try to control so much around me, but love, love conquers it all.”

Everyone cheered, and he handed the mic off to Nico, turning to Anna.

“Come on. I have something I want to show you.”

She followed, seemed happy to get away from the crowds. He led her out into a side garden, lit with twinkling lights strung above them, crossing the sidewalks where they walked, but he moved off the path behind a tree, to a small bench, shaded, almost completely covered, with a canopy of stretching branches. Evergreen. “This is lovely. What a beautiful spot.”

“I planted this tree.”

“Did you?”

“Yes, when I was a child, I wanted more evergreens here. They are not typical on the island.”

“No, they’re not. Do they mean something to you? Hoping to grow your own Christmas tree?” She laughed. But she knew this meant more, and she quieted and waited.

“I love the eternal idea of the green never fading. It reminded me of family, and what I said in there just now, it reminds me of love. We have a special understanding in our family, a loyalty, love. It means something to be a Valdez. I get comfort from this tree, knowing it will always be here, always be green. When I returned from difficult missions, I came here. When my father died, I came here. And now, when I am about to make forever promises, I wanted to come here.”

Anna swallowed. Her eyes teared up. “That is beautiful, Lucan.”

He kneeled to her front. “I love you Anna. I love you like the evergreen of this tree and I want nothing more than to prove that love to you for the rest of our lives.” He pulled a ring box out of his pocket. As he held it out, hope filling him, love for this woman almost overpowering everything. A sharp burning sliced his side. He instinctively grabbed at it, buckling to his side. His hand came back coated in red. Anna lurched forward, clutching her thigh, and Lucan dove for her, covering her body with his on the ground. He shouted into his ear com and cocooned her beneath him.

Her soft words in his ear, “I love you Lucan.” Barely registered as his adrenaline racing body was on high alert, ready to fight.

His team raced past him in all directions. Ten men pushed through the brush.

“Watch the tree.” Anna called. Then she called out when she tried to stand. Blood poured down onto her foot.

Lucan shouted. “Get her out of here.”

A man grabbed him, dragging him away. His own blood filled the white of his shirt with red. In the ambulance on the way to the hospital, Anna sat quietly, but the hollow, hopeless look on her face told him all he needed to know about the direction of her thoughts.

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